Lantern



(No Model.)

W. J. BYGRAFT.

LANTERN.

No. 587,791. Patented Aug. 10,1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIALWI J. BYORAFT, OF 'ASHTABULA, OHIO.

LANTERN.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 587,791, dated August 10, 1897.

Application filed September 1, 1896. Serial No. 604,531. (No model.) I

. a citizen of the United States, residing at Ashtabula, in the county of Ashtabula and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefnl Improvements in Lanterns, of which the 7 following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in lanterns, and has for its object to provide a device of this description by means of which the light radiating from the flame may be varied in color, thus adapting the lantern for signaling purposes, and also to so construct a lantern of this description as to render the changing of the light very simple.

Vith these ends in view my invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, and then specifically designated by the claim.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction and operation in detail, referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a central vertical section of my improved lantern. Fig. 2 is a section at the line so a: of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 a detailed perspective of one of the shades and the holder for carrying the same.

In carrying out my invention I provide a cylindrical casing A, to which are attached the guard-wires B, the latter in turn being secured to the cap 0, so that the globe D may be held between the flange E of the casing and the cap, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The cap is surmounted by the usual hood F and shield G, and to the hood is pivoted the handle of bail-wire H. The base I is of any suitable shape to serve as a support for the lantern when placed upon a surface, and formed with this base is a cylindrical top J, having a bottom K riveted or otherwise secured thereto, so as to act as a support for the lamp-reservoir L. c

In order that access may be had to the lamp, bayonet-joints M are so formed as to permit the ready attachment or detachment of the base to or from the casing A, the object of which is to permit the refilling of the reservoir or the lighting of the lamp.

Shade-holders N and O are arranged within the cylindrical top and are preferably formed of sheet metal so bent as to have a certain amount of spring action for the reception and retention of the shades P and Q, respectively, each of said shades being of different-colored glass. Secured to and depending from the shade-holders N and O are the wire yokes R and S, respectively, and these yokes pass through suitable holes in the bottomof the cylindrical top and serve the purpose of raising and lowering the shade-holders, and consequently the shades carried thereby.

In practice I prefer to arrange latches (one of which is shown) adapted to engage the cross-wires of the yokes, so as to hold them in their elevated position. The shades are prevented from sidewise movements by the spring-arms U, which are interposed between said shades and so bent as to bear against the inner wall of the outer shade and the outer wall of the inner shade.

From this description it will be seen that by the use of a lantern constructed in accordance with my improvement a person may change the light emanating therefrom from the color of one shade to the color of the other by simply lowering the shade which is not desired for use and elevating the shade which is the color desired, and also that a white light may be given forth by the lowering of both shades, and as these movements may be accomplished by simply raising and lowering the yokes from beneath the lantern it is obvious that the various colored lights can be changed instantly, which is of great advantage in railway signaling and the like.

It is also obvious that the cost of alantern built in accordance with my improvement is but little more than that required for the production of lanterns of ordinary construction.

I am aware that slight modifications might be made in the design here shown without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the exact details described.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is- In a device of the character described, a cylindrical casin g, a base removably secured to said casing, a bottom formed with the base,

10 yokes, spring-arms bent in irregular shape and placed between the shades, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WM. J. BYCRAFT.

\Vitnesses:

S. S. WILLIAMSON, J. R. LEVIT. 

